The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-12-21
Live stock Notes

Horse troughs should be thoroughly
washed with warm water occasionally, as
there is more or less food left over, which
in time will become filthy. Should moist
ened ground food remain in the trough
and the weather become somewhat warm,
it will partially ferment, and In that man
ner render other food unwholesome.
There are some crosses that do not result
TO the best advantage. With dogs 1t is
claimed that the union of a hairy with a
smooth.coated dog will produce worthless
offspring, and with poultry the crossing OF
birds with rose combs and single combs has
rot been as productive ot such good results
es when singe-conb breede have been bred
together as crosses. Experiments in this
direction are worthy of attention,
Normal Ill, is one OF the great centres
of the West for importers and breeders of
French draught and Percheron horses. In
fact, the city and vicinity is given up to
this business as 8 principal industry. II
probably true that there are more firms en-
gagged in this business at Normal than at
any other point In the country, and most
Of them are well known as men of ex peri
eDce and who handle only superior stock.
The cost of milk depends upon the cost
OF the feed, hence the more milk received
from a COW in proportion TO food given,
the cheaper the cost. But unless warm
quarters be given. large quantity OF food
must be diverted to creating warmth for
the body, and it would, therefore, be eco
nomical 20 keep the COWS comfortable in
order to cheaper the cost by lessening the
amount of food required for bodily
warmth. In other werds, shelter is food, as
| IL protects the animals against cold.
Calves, at this season, should be Kept
free from lice; the annoyance from these
pests will keep them unthrifty and poor.
| Regular rations OF grain should be given /,
| then the most flesh is laid upon young
animals and the weight thus gained is the
cheapest in the life Of the animals. What
is now gained goes to make up for the
slower growth hereafter; and what is now,
il ever regained, Is only got at a cost which
is improbable. Young calves should get
warmed skim-milk. 1t will double their
growth. A comfortable, warm, dry bed
will help them very much.
The end of the year is the proper time
for calculating the value of the live stock.
Unless this is done and the owner knows
precisely to the dollar what his animals
would bring If sold, he cannot manage
bis business In such a manner rs 10 secure
the most profit. Hence, before the end oil
the year, strict account should be taken
OF the value of the stock In hand as basis
for the coming years business. And, be
sides this, the feeding should be done IN
such a systematic way that the cost Of thai
may be known, and from IL the cost o.
keeping the stock. 1t is very easy to LOSE
money when man goes blIndly to work
and never uses figures or paper and pencil
The farmer who is always figuring is thu
one who makes ends meet and gets goot
profit in between them. And there is M
part Of the farm business where 1t is easie
to make or lose money than In feeding o.
caring for stock.
Now isthe time to consider the expedi
ency Of improving the farm stock, espe
,, cially cattle, sheep and hogs, by the pur
/, chase Of thoroughbred males Of the b1s
, strains. We emphasize the thoroughbred
because the results will be disappointin
! and unsatisfactory il effort be made to us
only grades. Jersey bulls can be had q
, very reasonable prices. since the first ez
element and furore has subsidized. Eve
where farmer has already on his farr
good scraps of the best breeds of cattl,
swine, etc, IL is well to introduce ne
blood from other herds from time to tim'
, In this connection, the expediency Of raj
: ing horses and mules may be considered
There is absolutely no good reason VIII
farmers In the cotton States should M
breed horses and mules for the work of to
farm and the road. TO the extent, at leas
, of supplying their own wants; and IL
gratifying TO note an increasing practices
interest in the subject.-Southern Cultivl
| tor.
The wool crop is now being made. Til
} quality Of 1t depends upon regular feeding
me quantity depends upon good feediD
Z Excessive warmth is unfavorable to
heavy fleece. Perfect health Is indispel
sable to growth and quality both. III
: shepherd should guide himself accordingl
: Costiveness-is to be avoided by giving roo
, or bran. When the sheep Is seen stretc
r Jog its legs apart. it is a sure indicatio
) that the feeding is not right Salt may
|, needed. This should be given at lea
!. twice q week, and the regular supply wi
' be bene ficial. Rain is 10 be avoided, ar
wet snow which hangs to the fleece ar